What does it mean when the tire pressure light is flashing?
2 Answers
Tire pressure light flashing generally indicates that the tire pressure is either too low or too high, at which point tire inspection and pressure adjustment are necessary. Hazards of low tire pressure: Increased friction coefficient with the road surface, leading to higher fuel consumption; Causes the steering wheel to feel heavy and may lead to veering, which are factors detrimental to driving safety; Increases the movement of various parts of the tire, causing abnormal heating due to excessive rolling; Reduces the functionality of the cord and rubber, leading to delamination or cord breakage, and excessive friction with the rim causing damage to the bead area and abnormal wear; The friction between the tire and the ground increases exponentially, causing a sharp rise in tire temperature, softening the tire, and drastically reducing its strength. High-speed driving may result in a tire blowout; Increases tire body deformation, making the tire side prone to cracking, while generating flexing motion that leads to excessive heat, accelerating rubber aging, fatigue of the cord layer, cord breakage, and also increases the tire's contact area with the ground, accelerating shoulder wear.
My car has experienced the situation where the tire pressure light flashes before, which is usually the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alerting you to a potential issue. The most common reason is that one of the tires has too low pressure, such as being significantly below the manufacturer's recommended value, prompting the system to automatically activate the warning mode, with flashing indicating immediate attention is needed. However, it could also be a sensor issue, such as a dead sensor battery or signal interruption, especially if the light flashes briefly after starting the vehicle. Another possibility is a system malfunction, like poor module reception or data loss due to vehicle jolts. I recommend stopping as soon as possible to check all tires with a tire pressure gauge to confirm if the pressure is normal; if everything seems fine, it's best to visit a repair shop to inspect the sensors or the entire system. Don't ignore this small light—it helps prevent tire blowouts and makes driving safer. Developing a habit of checking tire pressure once a month, such as when the car is cold in the morning, can prevent similar issues from arising.
